Interesting Stuff I Ran Across This Week

Here are links to some interesting things I read or nifty sites I found this week.

• 25 tips to achieve a deep, uninterrupted sleep
• Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat - New York Times
• House approved the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, which includes a controversial MPAA-backed amendment requiring colleges to implement anti-piracy measures, or, by some interpretations, they could lose Federal Student Aid eligibility. Read more info on HR4137.
• Take a look at this $6 million home theater
• Internet "troll" anonymity is protected under the first amendment, according to a California court of appeals.
• How Many Countries Can You Name in Five Minutes?
• Check out this knee brace that can re-charge your iPod (or other electronic devices).
• Yahoo! is reportedly going to reject Microsoft's takeover bid.

Burger King To Offer Un-DRMed Songs from EMI

EMI is the only major record label that gets it, apparently, as they have now agreed to give away unrestricted, DRM free MP3 files of songs thru a promotion at United Kingdom Burger King restaurants. When a "kids meal" is purchased, there will be a promo code that can be entered at a website.

This follows EMI deciding to offer it's catalog of songs on iTunes in a DRM free format almost two months ago.

Story via Wired blog Listening Post.

Update Your iTunes for DRM Free Music

According to Mashable!, iTunes has released version 7.2 which includes the ability to purchase DRM free tracks for $1.29 a pop. Read iTunes' DRM-free Music Now Available.

Steve Jobs is lobbying for DRM free music

According to this article in PC World, Steve Jobs is lobbying for music publishers to release DRM free tracks. EMI has already agreed to sell DRM free tracks on iTunes, and according to this article, Jobs is writing letters to the rest of the big record companies to persuade them to follow suit.

For me, one of the most frustrating things about purchasing music online is the lack of portability of what I buy. If I could easily convert songs to MP3 format (which I prefer) or even buy those tracks as MP3 files (which I already do at eMusic) it would be awesome. I think getting rid of DRM is the first step in the right direction, and if the record companies offer consumers more choice with less restriction I believe it can only help their bottom line.